Minto loses appeals in High Court

Press, 4 September 1982, Page 12

Minto loses appeals in High Court

PA Hamilton The former HART leader. John Bernard Minto, has had appeals dismissed in the High Court at Hamilton against conviction and sentencing on charges arising from Springbok demonstrations in Hamilton on July 25 last year.

He will also go back to the District Court at Hamilton on another charge that was dismissed earlier. In the lower court, Minto was sentenced to six months periodic detention by Judge Millar on a charge of inciting disorder. That charge involved a gathering at Garden Place before the aborted Springbok rugby match against Waikato. Minto had spoken to a Crowd before it tore down a

fence and entered the playing area.

The second appeal was against conviction on a charge of depositing litter (tacks) on the rugby field. He had been convicted and discharged. Mr Justice Prichard said yesterday that the sentencing for littering had been taken into account with the sentencing on the charge of inciting disorder. “Personally I would regard depositing tacks on a playing field in a situation like this as a very serious matter indeed," his Honour said.

“It could cause painful injuries and possibly disfigurement to those taking part in a game of football.” His Honour said that his comment was made in passing and that he had no

intention of interferring with the District Court Judge's decision.

“I will simply say that the appellant was rightly convicted."

He ordered Minto to pay $4O costs. The Crown successfully appealed against the dismissal of a charge against Minto of inciting disorder at the airport on the day of the Springboks’ arrival in Hamilton.

A group of protesters, including Minto, had stood across the road leading from the airport to prevent the bus carrying the South Africans from leaving the area.

The District Court judge had dismissed the charge but his Honour has sent the case back to the District Court at Hamilton.